Chapter 1

My throat felt like a giant hand had closed around it, squeezing the air from my lungs.

I had known these 'friends' for twenty years. From elementary school through college, the four of us had always been in the same school, growing up side by side.

I used to think there was nothing better than having the people you loved most, your friends and your boyfriend, always by your side.

I thought the world of the four of us had created would never have room for anyone else.

Now, they were willing to turn against me for a girl they had known for less than three months.

Of course I was furious.

“I don’t agree. Mia isn’t one of us. Why does she have to force her way into our group?

“Lily, you know she sent Evan flirty messages in private. Are you seriously going to take her side and gang up on me?”

Before Mia Williams, whenever another girl had her eyes on my boyfriend, Evan Taylor, my best friend Lily Wilson was always the first to tear her apart for me.

Why was Mia any different?

Lily looked at me like I was the one being unreasonable.

“Jenna Brown, why do you have to make Mia out to be some horrible person? She was just discussing a group project with Evan.

“You’re always so suspicious of everyone. Do you have any idea how exhausting that is for Evan, as your boyfriend? And now the rest of us have to deal with it too.”

Mia had asked Evan to bring her an umbrella outside the movie theater. When she hurt herself dancing, she let him carry her to the nurse’s office. Even the heart-shaped chocolates she bought somehow always ended up with him.

Was I really just imagining things?

I actually started doubting myself for a moment.

Tears welled in my eyes, and I forced them back until the tip of my nose burned.

Evan was starting to look impatient.

“Jenna, the world doesn’t revolve around you.

“All three of us voted yes, so Mia is joining our little family of four.

“Now, we can decide where to go for our next trip. You love taking pictures, right? Mia’s really good at photography. She can take some great shots of you. Everybody wins!”

My heart grew colder with every word.

Then, my phone started buzzing with notifications.

Evan and the other two smiled.

I pulled out my phone. Our four-person group had become a five-person chat.

Mia had joined the group chat.

Mia: [Hey, everyone! I’m Mia. Please take good care of this newbie to the group! I can dance, sing, take photos, and edit videos. Just name it, and I can do it!]

Mia: [Feel free to hit me up anytime!]

Then, she tagged each of us and sent a waving emoji.

Evan was the first, and I was the last.

Lily immediately flooded the chat with cute stickers to welcome her.

Lily: [Everyone, let’s give a huge welcome to Mia joining our Kingsley squad!]

Jason: [Welcome, Mia.]

Evan: [Let’s have a barbecue session this weekend! We’ll make it her official welcome party.]

They kept chatting like they were having the time of their lives.

A tear fell onto my screen. I quickly wiped it away.

I finally found the courage to look at them. “If you insist on letting her join, then I’m leaving.”

They barely glanced at me.

“Jenna, go ahead and throw your little tantrum. Just don’t expect us to let you back in when you come crawling to us later.”

Then they turned right back to Mia, chatting away like I was not even there.

They thought I would eventually cave. They never imagined I would actually leave for real.

I left the group chat that had existed for more than a decade, then I blocked all three of them.

“Fine. From now on, we will go our separate ways.”

I turned around and walked away without looking back.

I heard Evan mutter behind me, “She’ll regret this in a few days. Just leave her alone.”

I quickened my pace, leaving their betrayal and the pain it brought further behind with every stride.